StreetsOfGold
23rd April 2014, 12:09 PM
http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/74376000/jpg/_74376111_putincoin.jpg
Commemorative coins bearing an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin are being minted at a Russian factory to mark the Kremlin's takeover of Crimea, it appears.
Putin's face is on one side of the 1kg (2.2lb) coin while the other shows a map of the Crimean Peninsula, Moscow daily Komsomolskaya Pravda (http://chel.kp.ru/daily/26221/3104781/)reports. Factory director Vladimir Vasyuhin explains that by bringing the Crimean peninsula "back home", Putin had "demonstrated the qualities of a wise strategist and politician". In March, Russia formally took over control of Crimea (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26686949) from Ukraine, despite international sanctions.
The limited edition of 500 silver coins has been called The Gatherer of Russian Lands - a phrase traditionally associated with Ivan III - better known as Ivan the Great - who significantly expanded Russia's territories during his rule. The coins haven't been priced yet - some of them may be sold, although they won't be used as currency - and the factory says it is planning to present some of them to the Russian leadership.
This isn't the first time Putin has been featured on a coin, Russian website Snob.ru (http://www.snob.ru/selected/entry/75261) says. Ironically, in 2006 Ukraine launched a coin featuring the Russian president, marking 10 years of its national currency, the hryvnia. The coin was encrusted with precious stones and cost $500 (£300).
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-27117241
Commemorative coins bearing an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin are being minted at a Russian factory to mark the Kremlin's takeover of Crimea, it appears.
Putin's face is on one side of the 1kg (2.2lb) coin while the other shows a map of the Crimean Peninsula, Moscow daily Komsomolskaya Pravda (http://chel.kp.ru/daily/26221/3104781/)reports. Factory director Vladimir Vasyuhin explains that by bringing the Crimean peninsula "back home", Putin had "demonstrated the qualities of a wise strategist and politician". In March, Russia formally took over control of Crimea (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26686949) from Ukraine, despite international sanctions.
The limited edition of 500 silver coins has been called The Gatherer of Russian Lands - a phrase traditionally associated with Ivan III - better known as Ivan the Great - who significantly expanded Russia's territories during his rule. The coins haven't been priced yet - some of them may be sold, although they won't be used as currency - and the factory says it is planning to present some of them to the Russian leadership.
This isn't the first time Putin has been featured on a coin, Russian website Snob.ru (http://www.snob.ru/selected/entry/75261) says. Ironically, in 2006 Ukraine launched a coin featuring the Russian president, marking 10 years of its national currency, the hryvnia. The coin was encrusted with precious stones and cost $500 (£300).
http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-27117241